New power solar

Workers check solar panels of a project in Vietnam - Photo by VnExpress Thien Tan Group plans to build five large solar power plants in the southern province of Ninh Thuan at a cost of US$2 billion by 2020. A 50-megawatt plant will start operating this year, followed by four plants generating 200-300MW each, according to Nikkei Asian Review. TTC Group, a sugar, energy, real estate and tourism conglomerate, also plans to spend up to US$1 billion on solar projects to meet the increasing domestic demand for power. “Vietnam always needs more power every year for its expanding economy,” CEO Thai Van Chuyen told Bloomberg in a report. “The recent pricing set by the government is reasonable, development costs are much cheaper and coal-fired power plants have caused so many concerns,” he said. The Ho Chi Minh City-based company wants to build 10 to 20 solar parks that are expected to start operation next year and generate as much as 1,000MW annually. Thailand's … [Read more...] about Solar power construction takes off in Vietnam after nuclear plans scrapped

Power sector in dilemmaBy Duc Hoang & Van Nam A solar system supplying heated water for a house in HCMC. Using renewable energy must be a norm for this city as well as Vietnam - PHOTO: THANH HOA The obsession of periodical power blackouts during the dry season seems to have been fallen into oblivion. Yet it is now likely to come back to haunt the Vietnamese economy. One of the reasons is many localities have given a flat no to new power plant projects they deem to entail high risks of pollution. For the first time after six years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has sent a warning signal of electrical power shortages. On July 11, during a meeting with Party Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong, Deputy Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong said Vietnam may have to confront a lack of electricity in the next five to six years. The biggest obstacle now to the satisfaction of the power need, according to the ministry, is no longer a lack of capital, but is of environmental nature. … [Read more...] about Power sector in dilemma

Danang lights up with solar power Pham Ngoc Cong covered the 12sq.m roof of his 3-storey home with solar panels to generate power for his family’s daily needs. The renewable energy system has helped Công cut his household’s electric consumption by 30 per cent each month, while cooling the penthouse during the scorching heat of summer. The grid-tie solar power system produces 12 kilowatts per hour, supplying enough power for all electrical equipment including high consumption air conditioners and refrigerators, while solar-powered water heaters provide 24-hour hot water for family use. “It’s saved me quite a bit of money. I used to pay VND2 million (US$88) each month for my family’s use from the city’s grid, but I pay just VND1 million ($44) since the top-roof solar power system was installed two years ago,” Cong said. “Meanwhile, three water heaters, which were powered by solar energy, costs almost nothing from the power grid in … [Read more...] about Danang lights up with solar power

Home energy: A roof-top solar power system on a building in Đà Nẵng. The system supplies enough power for daily use. — VNS Photo Minh Vũ Viet Nam News Between 2008 and 2011, the central city of Đà Nẵng has cut 12,000 tonnes of carbon emissions after developing environmentally friendly electric cars and household solar powered water heaters. Connecting household solar panels to the grid is seen as a positive way to make Đà Nẵng a ‘green’ city by 2025. Bùi Hoài Nam reports. Phạm Ngọc Công covered the 12sq.m roof of his 3-storey home with solar panels to generate power for his family’s daily needs. The renewable energy system has helped Công cut his household’s electric consumption by 30 per cent each month, while cooling the penthouse during the scorching heat of summer. The grid-tie solar power system produces 12 kilowatts per hour, supplying enough power for all … [Read more...] about Đà Nẵng lights up with solar power

Slow-moving projects lead to power shortageThe Saigon Times Daily Once a power exporter, Vietnam has become an importer since 2015 - PHOTO: TL HCMC - Vietnam is facing a risk of power shortage as the roll-out of power projects is proceeding too slowly, according to a Sai Gon Giai Phong news report. Supply-demand imbalance Under the National Power Development Plan for the 2011-2020 period, with a vision toward 2030, often referred to as Power Development Plan VII, the total capacity of the national power network should be 60,000MW in 2020, 96,000MW in 2025 and 130,000MW in 2030. However, the growth of power generation has failed to ensure that the plan is being followed, with the total capacity reaching only 45,000MW so far. Power sources in the northern region can supply 95 billion kWh, and consumption is at 75 billion kWh. Supply and consumption in the central region are 32 billion kWh and 17 billion kWh, respectively. Meanwhile, the southern region can generate 70 billion … [Read more...] about Slow-moving projects lead to power shortage